Loggia dei Lanzi, Renaissance building at Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy
The Loggia dei Lanzi is a Gothic arcade building at Piazza della Signoria in Florence, opening toward the square through three wide round arches supported by slender columns. Several large marble sculptures stand on pedestals beneath the vaulted ceiling, lining the interior of the open hall.
The city of Florence built the structure between 1376 and 1382 as a covered gathering place for public ceremonies. Later, Medici bodyguards carrying spears stationed themselves there, giving the building its current name.
The open arcade serves today as a free outdoor gallery where visitors walk among ancient and Renaissance marble sculptures. Florentines use the shaded side of the arches as a meeting point and resting spot in the middle of the piazza.
The hall sits directly beside Palazzo Vecchio and remains accessible around the clock, as no doors or barriers restrict entry. Visitors can walk through the arches anytime and view the displayed sculptures up close.
Two marble lions guard the steps, with one dating from Roman times and the other carved in the late 16th century as its counterpart. Most visitors do not notice that only the right lion is ancient.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
